Tuesday

This is the second time Richard D. Savignano has quit the bench - then changed his mind before the resignation was formally accepted.

District Court Judge Richard D. Savignano told court officials he was quitting the bench - then changed his mind before the governor accepted the resignation.

Savignano, a former prosecutor, was to take a job with his former boss, U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan in Boston, but opted to stay on as a judge.

Joan Kenney, spokesman for the state courts, said Savignano withdrew his letter of resignation before Gov. Deval Patrick could act on it and remains a state judge.

Christina DiIorio-Sterling, spokesman for Sullivan, said Savignano particiated in a number of meetings at the office but two weeks ago "made us aware of his interest in remaining on the bench."

"While we were excited about the prospect of him becoming a significant contributor to the office, we wish him well in his continuation of service as a judge," she said.

Savignano, a judge since 1996, said he decided to remain on the bench because of "personal and family considerations." He declined to elaborate.

This is the second time Savignano has quit the bench - then changed his mind before the resignation was formally accepted.

In 2004, Savignano withdrew his resignantion as a judge hours before it was to have been formally accepted and finalized. He had moved out of his Brockton district court office and was given a going away party before he decided to stay.

At the time, Savignano originally planned to leave the judiciary to join Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault, a law firm specializing in business law and white collar crime defense.

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